The fact that he’s stating “make the playoffs” as the goal opposed to “win the Stanley Cup” explains why they support Benning’s philosophy of eternal mediocrity.
All they want is for us to be one of the top 16 teams in the league and they’re happy.
If the 2018-19 Canucks make the playoffs I'm sure management would be ecstatic and look for a star UFA or two to get them over the hump.
Otoh, and this is going to be really unpopular, the best thing for an owner (as far as his investment is concerned) is to make the playoffs every season. It is best if they are good enough to give the fans hope for a Cup-say top 8.
That enables them to draw well enough to sell out the home games, sell enough hope that the fans watch on TV and radio so maximize the revenue for the owner, even make the playoffs and usually two and sometimes three rounds so as to further provide revenue for the owner. It also doesn't result in the players being overpriced the way winning a Stanley Cup would.
Of course, it is best to minimize costs as well.
I think this is little more than theoretical interest, though, since FA appears to be a fan first and businessman, so far as it pertains to the Canucks, second. He'd rather win the Cup. OTOH, perhaps if he isn't winning the Cup he wants to maximize his investment by being a solid playoff team each and every year, even if that lowers the chances of a Cup win down the road. Of course, in recent years his team has neither been in contention for the Cup nor the playoffs.